Advice for Students Shopping for a W & T Company
During September students at the city’s universities see many of their classmates return from a summer spent in the U.S. and make a decision on whether they will go next year, and which agency they will use. The same principal holds for the returning students. This is very much an individual decision and should be made only after being aware of all of the facts.
Work & Travel is a large financial commitment that requires careful shopping and evaluation. Think of it in the same terms that you would while shopping for any major purchase and then you will get the most value for your money. We hope to provide some guidance and tips to help students with this decision.
First, don’t be taken in by low advertised prices. Often advertised Work & Travel prices only cover 50% of the actual price you will pay and the balance of payments comes as a surprise later on when it’s too late. This is a very transparent trick that is used, but surprisingly, it seems to fool many students. If you are mature and intelligent enough to spend a summer in a foreign country, then you should also be smart enough to see through such deceptive advertising schemes.
You need to find out from the agency all costs involved before you sign anything. If the agency is not forthright with this information, or evasive, continue shopping around.
Besides price, all that an agency can really offer is service and quality. This is especially important for students going for the first time, and their parents also. How well does the agency prepare the student for this important trip? A one day seminar does not constitute preparation for your trip. It takes many days over a period of time to properly prepare you and to assure that you have the best summer of your life. You need to know all answers before you leave for America. You need the guidance of someone who has spent years living there. Another student who has been on the program is not an expert after living in the U.S. for three months and therefore not your best source of information. You need an agency that you can e-mail while you are in America if you have a question or a problem; not one that sends you, and in case of a problem refers you to another phone number.
Be careful of language evaluations that you are given by agencies. We're only aware of one Work & Travel company in the city that uses accredited English language evaluators and native speakers to make this determination. If an agency tells you that you need to have English lessons, and then make you take these lessons through them; I would certainly go to another agency. Claims that you can be taught to speak English well in a short period of time are often without merit.
I have listened to hundreds of student visa interviews and can only say that someone with poor English skills might get a visa if they speak with the interviewer on a good day, and someone with better skills may not get a visa due to other circumstances. Don’t leave things to “chance”; if your English skills are not good then you need to work on this with professionals.
To go on the Work & Travel program you must be a legal adult of at least 18 years of age. As an adult, you need to make adult decisions based on all the facts. Prior to shopping for an agency I suggest that you make up a list of all of your questions so that you make sure that all of them are answered. Remember, you are the customer and free to use any agency you wish, don’t let the agency seem as if they are doing you a favor; make them earn your business and trust.
Work & Travel is an American program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. The costs consist of the following; the fee you pay to the agency here in Russia, the U.S. sponsor agency fee, which includes the DS-2019, health insurance, application fees and support while you are in America. In addition, there will be a job offer fee, visa fee, SEVIS program fee and the cost of airfare. The agencies here are not representatives of the U.S. Government.
Partway through the 2007/2008 season the U.S. State Department issued some rule changes that you need to be aware of. While rules can change again, these latest changes allow more students to go on the Work & Travel Program. First, it used to be that only 2nd, 3rd and 4th year university students were allowed to participate in the program. The last change allows any university student to participate, however, 5th year students will have to show pretty strong evidence that they are planning to return. Secondly, during the 2006/2007 season students who had already participated twice before, were not allowed to participate a 3rd time. The new rules introduced in 2008 allow up to four times.
Thirdly, starting in 2008 and increasing in 2009, the U.S. State Department is requiring the American sponsor agencies to pay more attention to the students in terms of switching jobs without the sponsor permission. If your plan is to go to the States, don’t show up at your job, and just spend the summer with your whereabouts unknown to your U.S. sponsor, you may find yourself losing your visa status. Choose a job wisely and maintain contact with your sponsor concerning job changes.
Another consideration for a student is whether or not they possess the level of maturity needed to be away from home in a foreign country for the summer and be able to work. As an American, I can tell you that your American employer doesn’t care that you are a student on your summer break. Whether you are an American, Russian, Chinese, etc. student, they will expect you to work to earn your salary. I have to laugh sometimes when a student says that the Russian students are treated as “slaves”. When I ask for an example of this, I’m typically told a story that is normal in the working world. During my university years I worked during the summer in a hot restaurant kitchen ( 40 degrees) scrubbing pots and pans to earn my summer money. I knew that this wasn’t “slave” treatment, just merely a fact of life in the entry level working world.
You will be traveling to a highly developed competitive market economy, and in an entry level job. You are expected to work and not play while you are being paid.
A positive attitude and realistic expectations are two very important qualities that you need to possess on this program. When you discover that you will not have the time to explore the entire country; make the decision to learn all that you can about the area where you are living and working. Meet local people and learn about the culture from them. This is an opportunity to dispel preconceived notions and myths on a firsthand basis and perhaps to develop friendships and connections that can last for years.
Remember, wherever you are, you are not on a deserted island; there are always people who will, and want to help you have a great summer.
For many students this will be the first large investment that they will make. Choose wisely, don’t be afraid to check out and compare, because this is your money and will be your experience.
We hope that these tips help you in your selection process.
Please feel free to contact us using our on-line contact form below.